PRIME NUMBERS: GPA, 40-YARD-DASH TIME

Senior running back for Helix in front of the pack in the classroom, on the football field

A little more than five years later, Wrobel had his choice of schools. He settled on Harvard, where the first-team all-section choice will continue his water polo career next year.

The demanding sport has taught Wrobel the importance of time management. He’s transferred those lessons to the classroom, where he has a 4.32 GPA and scored a 32 on the ACT. He’s part of the Peer Support Program at Bishop’s, helping to educate the student body on physical and mental well-being.

Maggie Ryan, field hockey

Ryan has enjoyed her playing career. This fall, she helped lead Serra to its fourth straight and 19th section title. Afterward, she was selected to the all-section first team.

But coaching hasn’t been bad, either. Since her freshman year, Ryan has served as an assistant for the field hockey team at De Portola Middle School.

“It definitely helps me gain more appreciation for not just the game but also coaching in general,” said Ryan, who has a 4.44 GPA and a 2,130 SAT.

She’s considering teaching as a career path. She hasn’t decided on a college yet, but she hopes to study English and creative writing at Northwestern, Columbia or Georgetown.

Emily Lopez, girls cross country

Lopez, an All-Academic Team Captain last year, returns to this spot after another standout season. The Monte Vista senior advanced to the state championships for the third straight year after placing second in the Division III section finals with a time of 16:20 over 2.75 miles to earn all-section first-team honors.

The multisport athlete and ASB president also competes in soccer, softball and track. She carries a 4.67 GPA.

“I wish I had a whole bunch of players like that on my team, but they only come around every once in a while,” said Monte Vista cross country and soccer coach Manny Sandoval.

Jorge Matt-Navarro, boys cross country

In other words, the senior doesn’t have time to slack. When he’s not busy maintaining a 4.82 GPA, he’s captaining Patrick Henry’s Academic League Team and participating in Junior Model United Nations.

“I recognize that I’m probably not gonna end up running the rest of my life, professionally at least,” said Matt-Navarro, who finished eighth at the section championships with a time of 16:35 in the 3.1-mile race. “I gotta keep it up academically, so I can explore my options.”

He does plan on running in college. He’s applied to Northwestern, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania.

Monica Robinson, girls tennis

Fallbrook’s Robinson capped her high school career by advancing to the section singles final for the second straight year. While she again had to settle for the runner-up spot, she earned all-section first-team honors and finished ranked among the top 40 players in the nation.

On Nov. 14, Robinson, who carries a 4.12 GPA, signed her National Letter of Intent to play tennis for Notre Dame.

Minjia Luo, girls golf

Despite a sore knee, Luo turned in a masterful high school finale, leading Torrey Pines to its third consecutive state title. The senior carded an even-par 74 to edge Esther Lee of Los Alamitos by a single stroke in the individual championship.

Last year, Luo gritted through a broken toe to help Torrey Pines capture state title No. 2 of its three-peat.

Luo, who has a 4.19 GPA and will attend Northwestern, was named to the all-section first team for the fourth straight year.